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10 Easy Steps to an Organized Closet

An overstuff closet may feel safe. After all, who knows when you may need that ball gown from 8 years ago? But, is your memory box of a closet practical for everyday life? If you’re ready to simplify, follow these easy steps to purge and organize your closet:

1. Take it ALL out: clothes, purses, shoes – everything!

2. Think seasonally…

3. Start your piles and be real about what you should donate.

You must be ruthless. These are just clothes, not memories. If you’re having a hard time letting go of something special, try taking a photo and sharing that memory online with friends and family. Let the memory live on, but let the item go.

4. Tackle the “keep” pile first.

Organizing by season gives your closet breathing room and you can easily rotate every 3-4 months.

5. Hang some, but fold others to maintain their structure.

There’s nothing worse than a gorgeous sweater loosing its shape after stretching out on a hanger.

6. Start hanging with purpose.

7. Store clothes that are out of season.

8. Make a plan or else…

Don’t let items you intend to sew or fix just lay around for weeks creating clutter. Make a list of materials needed and block time on your calendar to mend everything at once.

9. Feel the relief when you donate!

10. Maintain the system by rotating by season.

It may take a couple of passes to get into the swing of paring down, but the sweet reward is a wardrobe that makes you look great and a streamlined closet that makes getting dressed much, much more fun.